Topic: PT: 3 - New Marantz PMD661

[yug du nord]

^There are a couple of threads about the Anker batteries..  I've never used em, can't comment.
http://taperssection.com/index.php?board=25.0

[pdxdanmusic]

I have a question and I hope someone has the answer. I have a 10,000 mAh ext battery (3 of them) that I tested and get about 11+ hours with phantom power on with my PMD661. I also plan to have a set of eneloop or energizer ultimate in the deck. If the external runs low will it autoswitch to the internal set and will there be a detectable click or anything like that. I am heading to NWSS next week and hate to lose something or switch stuff at night.

[aliensteve]

I have six old Sony BP-GL65 batteries (with chargers) that still work great.  I would love to find an adapter (v-mount) that would take the 14.4v (4.4ah) from the Sony battery and convert down to the 5v (1.4a) that the 661 needs.  I've found several v-mounts that say they provide a 5v output but they only have a 2-pin Lemo connector.  Anyone have any ideas of how to make this work?

I have three of the PMD 661's that I use for film and television work all over the country.  It's not uncommon for me to run them 12 to 14 hours per day.  Keeping up with rechargeable 2a's is driving me crazy!  Using new 2a's is breaking the bank. 

THanks for any advice you can give me!

[404 Not Found]

I have been using a Tekkeon MP3450 R3 for a few years now and never have had a problem and comes with the adaptor needed for the PMD661.  They sell direct as well.  One thing nice about this battery is that the MP3450 R3 automatically resets to the lowest setting after a device is connected, stating that "you will never overcharge your portable device".  If you need extended battery time, they have a expansion battery: MP3450-10 R3 Extended Battery that works & comes with a Bracket to connect the two units.  You may want to look at going with an all new battery and sell the Sony's?  On a different note, these batteries had been a big help when the power was out last year during hurrican Sandy's aftermath.  GL!

[DigiGal]

I have six old Sony BP-GL65 batteries (with chargers) that still work great.  I would love to find an adapter (v-mount) that would take the 14.4v (4.4ah) from the Sony battery and convert down to the 5v (1.4a) that the 661 needs.  I've found several v-mounts that say they provide a 5v output but they only have a 2-pin Lemo connector.  Anyone have any ideas of how to make this work?
THanks for any advice you can give me!

If you are set on using this type of v-mount then you could use a simple cable that goes from the 2-pin Lemo connector to a 1.7mm I.D. x 4.0 O.D. DC Power Plug.  So you already have the batteries and chargers but not the DC-DC converter?  You didn't link the one you mention and a quick search shows these are expensive, so . . .

There are other options such as the Tekkeon MP3450 already mentioned. I use a MP3450 myself (which has a built-in charge meter) to simultaniuosly power a MixPre-D and the PMD661 and don't worry about running out of battery power. I do have enelope low self discharge rechargeable "aa" batteries installed in both devices for a degree of redundancy. If the external battery should run too low then manually switching over to internal rechargeable's is seamless.

Just FYI; Marantz Professional doesn't officially endorse the use of external batteries on the PMD 661 so if you are not careful you could damage the recorder and warranty if you still have one wouldn't cover a repair.

[404 Not Found]

Just FYI; Marantz Professional doesn't officially endorse the use of external batteries on the PMD 661 so if you are not careful you could damage the recorder and warranty if you still have one wouldn't cover a repair.

MP3450 R3 automatically resets to the lowest setting after a device is connected, stating that "you will never overcharge your portable device".

This was a selling point to me for the use of this battery, as it has worked for my PMD661 as well as on my Roland R4 and a prior PMD670. 

On a different note, DigiGal, are you using the usb to power the MixPre-D?  and if so did you make a cable for it?  I am using the SD Battery Cup to power the MixPre-D, due to having a few 12v Ni Batts from vid cams I have.  It is bulky and I am sure it would be easier to run just everything from the Tekkeon.  BTW...I also do the same thing in keeping my AA's  in my gear, not as a redundant act but as a fail-safe...Murphy's law will bit eme in the ass otherwise!

[jazzgtrl4]

How many people run the pmd661 off the Tekkeons USB? so it would be tekkeon usb to the barrel/power connector on the 661.

[404 Not Found]

I run the power to my 661 using the DC Out of my Tekkeon.  Powering the Sound Device MixPre-D requires an Hirose 4-pin connector.  My question to Digi was specific to powering the MixPre-D. 

Have never thought of or tried to power the 661 with the USB from a Tekkeon.

[DigiGal]

Just FYI; Marantz Professional doesn't officially endorse the use of external batteries on the PMD 661 so if you are not careful you could damage the recorder and warranty if you still have one wouldn't cover a repair.

MP3450 R3 automatically resets to the lowest setting after a device is connected, stating that "you will never overcharge your portable device".

This was a selling point to me for the use of this battery, as it has worked for my PMD661 as well as on my Roland R4 and a prior PMD670. 

On a different note, DigiGal, are you using the usb to power the MixPre-D?  and if so did you make a cable for it?  I am using the SD Battery Cup to power the MixPre-D, due to having a few 12v Ni Batts from vid cams I have.  It is bulky and I am sure it would be easier to run just everything from the Tekkeon.  BTW...I also do the same thing in keeping my AA's  in my gear, not as a redundant act but as a fail-safe...Murphy's law will bit eme in the ass otherwise!

<404> Yes, I'm using the USB 5V output of the Tekkeon to power the PMD661.  I made the cable myself from a right angle USB cable.  I am also using a right angle Tekkeon to Hirose cable that I made myself for powering the MixPre-D.  (setup pictured below)  I to have an NP battery cup to Hirose, several good NP1SB batteries and two 4 bay NP chargers.  My NP batteries hardly ever get used because the Tekkeon powers both devices for forever, I will sometimes carry one NP battery with me for an extra fail safe to overcome Murphy's law but it never gets used.  The NP1's are heavy NiCAD technology and don't have charge indicators so I generally don't use them because the Tekkeon MP3450 is lighter and powers both units.  If I were to order a new or second Tekkeon, I'd opt for the dip switch version for this config so I wouldn't have to manually set the voltage each time to power the MixPre-D.

http://taperssection.com/index.php?topic=139705.msg2045882#msg2045882

[jazzgtrl4]

Just FYI; Marantz Professional doesn't officially endorse the use of external batteries on the PMD 661 so if you are not careful you could damage the recorder and warranty if you still have one wouldn't cover a repair.

MP3450 R3 automatically resets to the lowest setting after a device is connected, stating that "you will never overcharge your portable device".

This was a selling point to me for the use of this battery, as it has worked for my PMD661 as well as on my Roland R4 and a prior PMD670. 

On a different note, DigiGal, are you using the usb to power the MixPre-D?  and if so did you make a cable for it?  I am using the SD Battery Cup to power the MixPre-D, due to having a few 12v Ni Batts from vid cams I have.  It is bulky and I am sure it would be easier to run just everything from the Tekkeon.  BTW...I also do the same thing in keeping my AA's  in my gear, not as a redundant act but as a fail-safe...Murphy's law will bit eme in the ass otherwise!

<404> Yes, I'm using the USB 5V output of the Tekkeon to power the PMD661.  I made the cable myself from a right angle USB cable.  I am also using a right angle Tekkeon to Hirose cable that I made myself for powering the MixPre-D.  (setup pictured below)  I to have an NP battery cup to Hirose, several good NP1SB batteries and two 4 bay NP chargers.  My NP batteries hardly ever get used because the Tekkeon powers both devices for forever, I will sometimes carry one NP battery with me for an extra fail safe to overcome Murphy's law but it never gets used.  The NP1's are heavy NiCAD technology and don't have charge indicators so I generally don't use them because the Tekkeon MP3450 is lighter and powers both units.  If I were to order a new or second Tekkeon, I'd opt for the dip switch version for this config so I wouldn't have to manually set the voltage each time to power the MixPre-D.

http://taperssection.com/index.php?topic=139705.msg2045882#msg2045882

very cool setup Digigal.m ya Teds making me a usb>pmd661 cable so i can power my 661 off of one of my Tekkeons as well. I should have been doing that since the beginning, but hey,.

[404 Not Found]

Thanks for clarification Digigal!!!  Much appreciated.  That will be my next move to mod the power situation for my rig as soon as I get the op.

[cashandkerouac]

DigiGal (or anyone who knows the answer):  Are you using the Tekkeon to power the 661 (via 5v USB) and another device (at a different voltage) simultaneously?  If so, that's way cool!  I had no idea you could do that.  thanks.

[thunderbolt]

I've done that.  USB cable for the 661 and also powered a V3 via the regular DC out.  Nice and compact.

[cashandkerouac]

I've done that.  USB cable for the 661 and also powered a V3 via the regular DC out.  Nice and compact.

thanks.  that is super cool! 

[yates7592]

I've read through the thread and am looking at possibly buying a 661, but I am confused by the manual's description of the mic/line/phantom switch on the underside of the recorder. It seems to be a 3 way switch - mic-in phantom on / mic-in phantom off / line-in. So does the phantom power only supply to mics when going mic-in? Or is phantom always on when going line-in? Also, does the mic attenuation option up to -18dB only apply when going mic-in, not line-in?

Max line-in input on XLR's could be +6.5dBu according to Marantz or +15dBu according to Doug Oade (!). Is this with the -18dB switch, or as questioned above, would it not affect the line-in XLR input?

One final question, what is the nominal / maximum input for mic-in XLR?

Thanks for any answers you can give.